CLOSER OPENS NEW CHAPTER ANGELS' SAVES-LEADER PERCIVAL SIGNS WITH TIGERS.

Byline: Gabe Lacques Staff Writer

Troy Percival, who never strayed beyond the boundaries of Southern California as a youth, collegiate and professional athlete, found good reason to become enamored with the city of Detroit on a two-day recruiting trip this week.

Percival, a hotel-to-clubhouse type in his decade with the Angels, met Tigers legends such as Al Kaline and current manager Alan Trammell, toured well-appointed neighborhoods and saw other amenities that altered his previous perception of Motown as a place consisting merely of ``busy freeways,'' as he put it.

The Angels' all-time saves leader saw something else that somewhat shocked him:

A two-year, $12 million contract offer.

Percival, knowing such offers are rare for closers on the wrong side of 35, signed the contract Wednesday, before his free-agent tour could continue to Cleveland and Chicago.

``It took something special to cancel those other commitments,'' said Percival, who saved 316 games with the Angels and spent nine years as their closer.

Percival parted with the Angels after they told him young, dominant and inexpensive Francisco Rodriguez would be their closer in 2005. He previously had figured the two-year, $16 million extension that expired after last year would be his final contract as a professional.

But after earning 33 saves in 2004 and overcoming a first-half elbow injury to convert 21 of his last 22 save opportunities, Percival said he'd seek a multiyear contract and thought he could pitch four more years.

The Angels let him go. But in a tight market for closers, the Tigers snapped him up, and are expected to trade current closer Ugueth Urbina, who recently had his $4 million option for '05 picked up.

And the Angels, who decided to allocate their resources elsewhere, will be in the odd position of facing one of their clubhouse leaders on the opposite side of the diamond.

Percival, who was on the mound for the final out of all three series-clinching wins of their 2002 World Series run, and closed out their division-clinching victory at Oakland in October, will visit Angel Stadium with the Tigers for series May 6-8 and Sept. 15-18. The Angels have a series May 13-16 at Comerica Park.

It could get weird.

``It will be odd facing him,'' said set-up man Brendan Donnelly, who talked to Percival on Wednesday morning. ``Good for Troy, good for Detroit. They got a good one. I was surprised it was two years, but good for him.

``They're getting a team leader going into that clubhouse. Percy comes in, and with his credentials alone, will get respect right away.''

Donnelly credited Percival for rejuvenating his career after a decade in the minor leagues; now, Percival will try to rejuvenate a Detroit franchise that lost 119 games in 2003, but regained its dignity by winning 72 in 2004.

Percival, who attended UC Riverside and has resided in Riverside County his entire life, said he'd like to see Angels free agent Troy Glaus join him in Detroit. The Tigers, Boston, Seattle and Arizona are among clubs expected to pursue Glaus.

``He has a lot of decisions to make, and it isn't going to be easy,'' Percival said.

But Percival's decision to leave Anaheim was made for him.

``The toughest part is leaving a family I've had for 15 years,'' he said. ``The rest is still 60 feet, 6 inches. I've made a lot of transitions over the last 10 years. This is the next one.''

For Donnelly, the feeling is mutual.

`He's got a lot of long-term friends on this team,'' Donnelly said. ``But business is business. We've got to move on one more time.''

Gabe Lacques, [phone]

gabe.lacques(at)sgvn.com

CAPTION(S):

2 photos, box

Photo:

(1 -- color) Closer Troy Percival leaves for Detroit after living his entire life in Riverside County.

Paul Sancya/Associated Press

(2) PERCIVAL

Box:

FALLEN ANGEL